Thermoelectric effect apparatus, energy direct conversion system , and energy conversion system

ABSTRACT

A self-driven direct energy conversion system is to be provided which can suppress global warming using a heat generation apparatus that can obtain a circulating type and open system energy source utilizing exhaustless, reusable thermal energy with no pollution in the natural world. The system has a thermal energy transfer module which a Peltier effect device group is separated from a Seebeck effect device group at a given distance, an electric power generating module, and an electrolyzer module in which thermal energy transfer and electric energy conversion are conducted, and a water electrolyzer circuit artificially forms a chemical energy source of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas easily pressurized, compressed, accumulated, stored, and transferred. Thus, thermal energy, electric power, and chemical energy are utilized.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and its system, whichconduct energy interconversion or thermal energy transfer in differentforms, particularly to a thermoelectric apparatus, a direct energyconversion system, and an energy conversion system, which directlyconvert or transfer thermal energy existing in the natural world toelectric energy and chemical energy.

2. Description of the Related Art

Since the invention is the invention that has been developed based onpublicly known and publicly used techniques (the forms of energy use bythermoelectric transducers) without conducting related art search, therelated art known by the applicant does not fall in the documentedpublicly known invention. Hereinafter, the forms of energy use publiclyknown and publicly used will be described.

In the recent forms of energy use, most of them irreversibly utilizefossil fuels, nuclear power, and hydroelectric power. Particularly, theconsumption of fossil fuels is a factor that increases global warmingand environmental destruction. With the consumption of photovoltaicpower, wind power, or hydrogen gas as so-called clean energy, it is onlyrecently that an effort to implementing a reduction in load againstenvironments has been started, but it is far to replace fossil fuels andnuclear power.

A thermoelectric transducer using the Seebeck effect (hereinafter, it iscalled a Seebeck device) is known as a device that converts thermalenergy existing in the natural world to a directly usable form such aselectric power, and it is being studied and developed for alternativeenergy to the fossil fuels and nuclear power. The Seebeck device isconfigured in which two types of conductors (or semiconductors) havingdifferent Seebeck coefficients are contacted with each other, and thedifference between the numbers of free electrons of both conductorscauses electrons to move and generate a potential difference between thetwo conductors. Thermal energy is applied to the contact to make freeelectrons to move actively, which allows thermal energy to be convertedto electric energy. It is called the thermoelectric effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, a direct power generator device like the Seebeck device asdescribed above cannot obtain sufficient electric power, and haslimitations for use as a small-scale energy source. Therefore, inreality, the form of applications has also limitations.

Generally, the Seebeck device as described above is a device thatcombines a heating module (the high temperature side) with a coolingmodule (the low temperature side). Moreover, a thermoelectric deviceutilizing the Peltier effect (hereinafter, it is called a Peltierdevice) is also a device that combines a heat absorbing module with aheat generating module. More specifically, in the Seebeck device, theheating module thermally, mutually interferes with the cooling module,and in the Peltier device, the heat absorbing module thermally, mutuallyinterferes with the heat generating module. Thus, the Seebeck effect andthe Peltier effect decay over time.

Therefore, when the Peltier device and the Seebeck device are used toconstruct large-scale energy conversion facilities, it is unrealisticbecause physical limitations are imposed on installation locations forthe facilities. Furthermore, the energy use that utilizes the typicalPeltier device and Seebeck device is one-way use. For example, there isno technical concept to configure a circulating form such that theenergy once used is used again.

Future energy development has to intend not to cause global warming orenvironmental destruction and to intend reuse. This is a great problemessential for energy development in future.

The invention is to solve the problem, and to provide a thermoelectricapparatus, a direct energy conversion system, and an energy conversionsystem, which utilize (reuse) thermal energy in the natural world, theenergy exhaustlessly existing in the natural world with no pollution, toobtain various forms of energy such as thermal energy, electric energy,and chemical energy.

A system that can obtain an energy source satisfying the purpose needsto have a thermally open system and a circulating type form. Morespecifically, the invention provides an electric circuit system whichcan conduct thermal energy transfer by a Peltier device between areasapart from a given distance, directly convert thermal energy toelectrical potential energy by a Seebeck device, and utilize theelectrolysis of electrolyte solutions and water to convert electricalpotential energy to chemical potential energy to easily store,accumulate and transfer energy.

For example, the system can effectively use and reuse thermal energy inthe natural world with no use of fossil fuels, convert the thermalenergy to electric energy for use as electric power, convert it tochemical energy, and thus construct an open energy recycling system.Therefore, a direct energy conversion system can be provided which canreduce global warming and have little environment load accompanied bypollution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teachings of the invention can be readily understood by consideringthe following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for describing the principle of thephysical construction for the Peltier effect and the Seebeck effect byenergy bands;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for describing a pair of Peltier effectheat transfer circuit systems in a first embodiment which can be spacedat a given distance;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating temperature change with respect to timevariation in the Peltier effect;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating temperature change with respect to timevariation in the Peltier effect;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating temperature change with respect tochange in current;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating temperature change with respect tochange in current;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for describing a pair of circuit systemsin a second embodiment which can be spaced at a given distance andconvert to electric energy from thermal energy by the Seebeck effect;

FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in a third embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating electromotive force with respect tochange in temperature difference;

FIG. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in a seventh embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in an eighth embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in a ninth embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in a tenth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a thermoelectric transducerapparatus and a direct energy conversion system in a first example; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a thermoelectric transducerapparatus and a direct energy conversion system in a second example.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Next, embodiments of the invention will be described.

As described in Summary of the invention, the Seebeck device (or thePeltier device) has a problem caused by the fact that the heating moduleis combined with the cooling module (or the heat absorbing module iscombined with the heat generating module) into one device. Therefore, inorder to solve this problem, the inventor focused attention onseparating the heating module from the cooling module (the heatabsorbing module from the heat generating module) of the Seebeck device(the Peltier device). Then, an experiment was conducted to confirmwhether the heating module can be separated from the cooling module (theheat absorbing module can be separated from the heat generating module)as the device still has the characteristics, that is, the heating moduleand the cooling module (the heat absorbing module and the heatgenerating module) can be configured independently.

Hereinafter, a thermoelectric apparatus, a direct energy conversionsystem and an energy conversion system of embodiments according to theinvention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Inthe embodiments, the entire direct energy conversion system utilizingnatural energy is operated in an open system, and thus it is necessaryto take notice that ‘the principle of increase of entropy which is heldonly in a closed system’ cannot be applied.

First, the basic technical concept (the principle) of the invention willbe described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for describing the principleof the physical mechanism of the Peltier effect and the Seebeck effectby energy bands. A schematic form is shown in which a joining member Mhaving electrical conductivity such as metal is interposed between aconductive member A (for example, a p-type semiconductor in FIG. 1;hereinafter, it is called a first conductive member) and a conductivemember B (for example, an n-type semiconductor in FIG. 1; hereinafter,it is called a second conductive member), both having different Seebeckcoefficients, and an external electric field is applied from the secondconductive member B in the direction of the first conductive member A.Furthermore, in FIG. 1, shaded areas depict a charged band with no freeelectrons, alternate long and short dash lines depict the Fermi levelVF, a symbol EV denotes the upper end level of the charged band, asymbol EC denotes the lower end level of a conducting band, and a symbolEVac denotes the vacuum level.

As shown in FIG. 1, when an external electric field is applied from thesecond conductive member B in the direction of the first conductivemember A, levels are arranged such that the Fermi level E_(F) of thejoining member M having a finite thickness is arranged at the levelbelow the Fermi level E_(F) of the first conductive member A (lowlevel), and the Fermi level E_(F) of the second conductive member B isarranged below that level (low level). When no external electric fieldis applied, the Fermi levels E_(F) Of the conductive members A and B arethe same level. Moreover, when an external electric field is appliedfrom the first conductive member A in the direction of the secondconductive member B, the Fermi levels E_(F) of the first conductivemember A, the joining member M, and the second conductive member B arereversed in the level arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

Symbols φ_(A)(T), φ_(M)(T), and φ_(B)(T) in FIG. 1 denote the electricalpotentials (barrier potentials) of the first conductive member A, thejoining member M, and the second conductive member B, respectively, andare the potentials uniquely defined by the temperatures of the firstconductive member A, the joining member M, and the second conductivemember B regardless of the orientation of the external electric field.For example, when electrons having the electric charge e are to leap outof the first conductive member A, the joining member M, and the secondconductive member B, they need energy of eφ_(A)(T), eφ_(M)(T), andeφ_(B)(T), respectively.

As described above, when no external electric field is applied,electrons are moved so that the Fermi level E_(F) of the firstconductive member A, the Fermi level E_(F) of the joining member M, andthe Fermi level E_(F) of the second conductive member A are the samelevel, the contact potential difference V_(BM) between the secondconductive member B and the joining member M is ‘φ_(B)(T)−φ_(M)(T)’, andthe contact potential difference V_(MA) between the joining member M andthe first conductive member A is ‘φ_(M)(T)−φ_(A)(T)’.

In this state, when an external electric field is applied from thesecond conductive member B in the direction of the first conductivemember A to carry current, the free electron flow in the conducting bandand the electron flow in the charged band associated with the movementof holes go from the first conductive member A in the direction of thejoining member M, and further from the joining member M in the directionof the second conductive member B. Moreover, since the drift velocity offree electrons by the external electric field is smaller than thethermal velocity of free electrons, it can be ignored.

Here, when attention is focused on an electron group of the freeelectron flow that goes from the first conductive member A in thedirection of the joining member M and further from the joining member Mto the second conductive member B, the total energy of the individualelectrons in the marked electron group corresponds to a total sum of theelectrical potential energy and the kinetic energy by the thermalvelocity. The physical process that the marked electron group thus flowsfrom the first conductive member A to the joining member M and from thejoining member M to the second conductive member B is an electronicallyadiabatic process that external energy is not added to the markedelectron group because each of the joint surface areas is small enough.

More specifically, when the marked electron group flows from the firstconductive member A in the direction of the joining member M and fromthe joining member M to the second conductive member B side, the thermalenergy of electrons is decreased by an increase in the electricalpotential energy of electrons in each of the boundary surfaces (twoboundary surfaces in FIG. 1), and the thermal velocity of the electronsflowed into each of the boundary surfaces is reduced.

The thermal velocity of the marked electron group reduced in each of theboundary surfaces causes thermal energy to be absorbed from freeelectron groups and conductive member atoms existed in the joiningmember M and the second conductive member B before at vary fast inequally distributed time, and thus a heat absorption phenomenon occursnear the boundary between the first conductive member A side of thejoining member M and the joining member M side of the second conductivemember B. The physical process like this is a physical mechanism thatcauses the heat absorption phenomenon by the Peltier effect. No heatabsorption phenomenon described above occurs near the boundary betweenthe joining member M side of the first conductive member A and thesecond conductive member B side of the joining member M.

Then, when an external electric field is reversed to inverse thedirection of current (when the external electric field is applied fromthe first conductive member A in the direction of the second conductivemember B), in reverse to FIG. 1, levels are arranged so that the Fermilevel E_(F) of the joining member M having a finite thickness isarranged at the level above the Fermi level E_(F) of the firstconductive member A (high level), and the Fermi level E_(F) of thesecond conductive member B is arranged at the level (high level)thereabove. Since the electrical potentials φ_(A)(T), φ_(M)(T), andφ_(B)(T) of the first conductive member A, the joining member M, and thesecond conductive member B are uniquely determined by the respectivetemperatures of the first conductive member A, the joining member M, andthe second conductive member B, the magnitude relation is not varied andthe direction of the electron flow is reversed.

Consequently, the kinetic energy in each of the boundary surfaces isincreased by a reduction in the electrical potential energy ofelectrons, the thermal velocity of the electrons flowed into each of theboundary surfaces is increased, and thus a heat generation phenomenonoccurs near each of the boundaries between the second conductive memberB side of the joining member M and the joining member M side of thefirst conductive member A. Furthermore, no heat generation phenomenonoccurs near the boundary between the joining member M side of the secondconductive member B and the first conductive member A side of thejoining member M.

In order to carry current, it is necessary to configure a closedcircuit. In typical Peltier devices, a Peltier device circuit isconfigured to have a joining structure of ‘the conductive member A (T),the joining member M (T), and the conductive member B (T)’ in which thejoining member M having a small absolute Seebeck coefficient isinterposed between the first conductive member A and the secondconductive member B and current is carried therethrough by an externalpower source. The greater the difference in the absolute Seebeckcoefficient between the first conductive member A and the secondconductive member B is in the Peltier device circuit thus configured,the greater the heat generation value or the heat absorption valuebecomes by the Peltier effect. The absolute Seebeck coefficient is acoefficient unique to the conductive member having temperaturedependency.

In the Peltier device circuit where the closed circuit is thusconfigured, unless a great enough heat dissipation member (a memberhaving a high heat dissipation effect) removes heat generation energy onthe heat generation side, the conducting bands of the conductive memberA (T), the joining member M (T), and the conductive member B (T) are tohave equal, significantly high temperature, because these three membershave excellent thermal conductivity as shown in FIG. 1, for example.

Consequently, a great amount of electrons in the charged band arethermally excited to the conducting bands, the Fermi level E_(F) isgreatly increased to cause the electrical potentials of all the threeconductors to be equal as ‘φ_(A)(T)=φ_(M)(T)=φ_(B)(T)’. When this stateis made, the Peltier effect described in the principle is gone, andelectric power externally added is consumed only for Joule heating theelectrical resistance in three conducting bands. In order not to broughtinto this state, in general household electrical appliances andcomputers having a Peltier device circuit therein, a structure isadopted in which a great heat absorption body and heat dissipationmaterial or an electrical fan are disposed on the heat generation side(near the heat generation side) of the Peltier device to suppress thedissipation of the Peltier effect.

On the contrary, in the invention, a coupling material (for example, twowiring materials) having excellent electrical characteristics (forexample, thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity) is used toseparate the heat generation side from the heat absorption side of thePeltier device circuit at a predetermined distance to form a thermallyopen system (for example, with the use of a coupling member (wiringmaterial of long distance) that can secure a distance with no thermallymutual interference between the heat generation side and the heatabsorption side), and the heat generation side and the heat absorptionside are placed in thermally independent environments (differenttemperature environments) to prevent the Peltier effect from never beingdissipated as well as the Peltier effect can be used.

In the Peltier device circuit thus configured, when the externalelectric field shown in FIG. 1 is not applied, the number of the freeelectrons in the conducting band and the number of holes in the chargedband by thermal excitation are increased as the temperature T rises.Consequently, much more electrons are moved so that the Fermi levelE_(F) on the first conductive member A side, the Fermi level E_(F) ofthe joining member M, and the Fermi level E_(F) on the second conductivemember B side have the same level, and the contact potential differenceV_(AM) (that is, ‘eφ_(A)(T)− eφ_(M)(T)’) between the first conductivemember A and the joining member M becomes great.

In the case where two sets of the configurations shown in FIG. 1 withoutapplying any electric field are serially connected, that is, in the casewhere ‘a unit formed of the first conductive member A (Tα) and thesecond conductive member B (Tα)’ is electrically, serially connected to‘a unit formed of the first conductive member A (Tβ) and the secondconductive member B (Tβ)’ with the coupling member (such as a wiringmaterial), the serial potential difference voltage V becomes great asthe temperature difference ‘Tα−Tβ’ is increased. The voltage Vcorresponds to output voltage by the Seebeck effect.

The invention is configured by joining two sets of units formed of twoconductive members having different Seebeck coefficients with a couplingmember, and the Peltier effect that carries current by the externalelectric field and the Seebeck effect that serially connects the contactpotential differences without applying any external electric field havethe similar physical basis. More specifically, the invention utilizestwo features of the Peltier effect and the Seebeck effect having thesimilar physical mechanisms.

First Embodiment

FIG. 2 relates to a thermoelectric apparatus of a first embodiment, andis a schematic circuit diagram for describing a pair of Peltier effectheat transfer circuit systems that can freely set a space between twothermoelectric transducers. In addition, in each of symbols shown inFIG. 2, R_(1 and R) ₂ denote resistance of conductive members on theheat absorption side and the heat generation side (or on the hightemperature side and the low temperature side), I_(C) denotes circuitcurrent, R_(C) denotes circuit resistance at a connecting conductivemember, and V_(EX) denotes external power source voltage. Each of thesymbols is the same in embodiments and examples below.

As shown in FIG. 2, a first conductive member A11 and a secondconductive member B12 having different Seebeck coefficients are joinedto each other through a joining member d13 formed of a material ofexcellent thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity (such ascopper, gold, platinum, and aluminum) to form a first thermoelectrictransducer 10. Furthermore, as similar to the first thermoelectrictransducer 10, a first conductive member A21 and a second conductivemember B22 having different Seebeck coefficients are joined to eachother through a joining member d23 to form a second thermoelectrictransducer 20.

Moreover, the surfaces of the first conductive member A11 and the secondconductive member B12 opposite to the joining member d13 is joined tothe surfaces of the first conductive member A21 and the secondconductive member B22 opposite to the joining member d23 with a couplingmember of excellent thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity (awiring material formed of copper, gold, platinum, and aluminum) 24.Then, a direct-current power supply Ex is serially connected to a partof the coupling member 24 (for example, the center part of oneconductive member) to configure a pair of Peltier effect heat transferelectric circuit systems having the joining members 13 and 23 as a heatabsorbing module and a heat generating module, respectively.

It is necessary that the coupling member 24 has length such that atleast the first thermoelectric transducer 10 does not thermally,mutually interfere with the second thermoelectric transducer 20.Theoretically, the length can be set variously from a very short lengthabout a few microns to a few hundreds kilometers.

The circuit system thus configured is a system that can separate theheat absorbing module (that is, a negative thermal energy source) fromthe heat generating module (that is, a positive thermal energy source)at a given distance to independently utilize the two positive andnegative thermal energy sources.

In addition, in connecting between the thermoelectric transducers 10 and20 with the coupling member 24, it is acceptable that the couplingmembers are directly connected to the individual conductive membersexcept the portions where the joining members (d13 and d23) arecontacted with the conductive members (A11, B12, B21, and B22)(hereinafter, it is called a joining member opposite part). Furthermore,for example, as shown in FIG. 2, it is acceptable that a conductiveplate (such as copper, gold, platinum, and aluminum) d14 is connected tothe joining member opposite part if necessary, and a terminal (such ascopper, gold, platinum, and aluminum) d15 is further connected to theconductive plate d14.

Here, in the circuit configured as shown in FIG. 2, a demonstrationexperiment was done in which typical π type pn-junction devices (forexample, CP-249-06L and CP2-8-31-08L made by Melcor, USA) were used asthe thermoelectric transducers 10 and 20, the first thermoelectrictransducer 10 was separated from the second thermoelectric transducer 20at a distance (length of the coupling member 24 (copper line)) of 5 mmor 2 m, and current was fed to the circuit by an external direct-currentpower supply.

Consequently, a heat absorption phenomenon and a heat generationphenomenon by the Peltier effect occurred in the first thermoelectrictransducer 10 and the second thermoelectric transducer 20 at the bothends of the circuit (that is, the joining members d13 and d23), and itwas confirmed that the Peltier effect was not dissipated and was keptalso in the configuration in which the first thermoelectric transducer10 of the heat absorbing module was separated from the secondthermoelectric transducer 20 of the heat generating module. Furthermore,when the direction of current fed was reversed, it was also confirmedthat the heat absorption phenomenon and the heat generation phenomenonat the both ends were reversed.

Subsequently, when the distance between the first thermoelectrictransducer 10 and the second thermoelectric transducer 20 was apart at 5mm in the circuit shown in FIG. 2, current was fed by the externaldirect-current power supply. As shown in FIG. 3, it is revealed that thetemperature (temperature of the coupling member d23) Tβ of the heatgenerating module of the second thermoelectric transducer 20 wasthermally conducted to the heat absorbing module side of the firstthermoelectric transducer 10 to gradually increase the temperature(temperature of the coupling member d13) Tα of the heat absorbing moduleof the first thermoelectric transducer 10.

On the other hand, when the distance between the first thermoelectrictransducer 10 and the second thermoelectric transducer 20 was apart at 2m, as shown in FIG. 4, it is revealed that the heat of the heatgenerating module of the second thermoelectric transducer 20 was notheat transferred to the heat absorbing module side of the firstthermoelectric transducer 10 and the first thermoelectric transducer 10side did not thermally, mutually interfere with the secondthermoelectric transducer 20 side. More specifically, it is revealedthat it depended on external thermal energy drops.

Then, data was obtained for three times each in the case where the heatabsorbing module of the first thermoelectric transducer 10 wasartificially heat controlled by the external heat source to keep atemperature of 10° C. (when heat controlled) and the case whereartificial heat control was not done (before heated) in the state thatthe temperature Tα of the heat absorbing module of the firstthermoelectric transducer 10 came to equilibrium with the temperature Tβof the heat generating module of the second thermoelectric transducer 20in the circuit shown in FIG. 2. The temperature change (° C.) andtemperature variation (ΔTβ(° C.)) of the heat generating module of thesecond thermoelectric transducer 20 were measured with respect to thechange in current of the external direct-current power supply, and theresults were shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In addition, in FIG. 5, symbols ‘a solid diamond’, ‘a solid square’ and‘a solid rectangle’ denote measurement values for the first, second andthird times, respectively, when heat controlled; symbols ‘an asterisk’,‘a follow circle’ and ‘plus’ denote the measurement values for thefirst, second and third times, respectively, before heated; and symbols‘a solid circle’ and ‘minus’ denote a mean value of the measurementvalues before heated and when heat controlled, respectively.Furthermore, in FIG. 6, symbols ‘an asterisk’, ‘a solid circle’ and ‘asolid square’ denote the temperature difference between the cases whenheat controlled and before heated for the first, second and third times,respectively, in FIG. 5; and a symbol ‘a solid rectangle’ denotes a meanvalue of the temperature differences in the cases when heat controlledand before heated.

The results shown in FIG. 5 reveal that the difference was made in thetemperature on the heat generation side before heated and when heatcontrolled as the current of the external current power source wasincreased and the temperature difference was also increased. Morespecifically, it was revealed that thermal energy transfer was done inaccordance with the thermal energy input from the first thermoelectrictransducer 10 side. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, it was also revealedthat the temperature variation ΔTβ was increased as the current of theexternal current power source was increased, and the amount of thermalenergy transfer was also increased.

Therefore, it could be confirmed that the Peltier effect circuit shownin FIG. 2 has external thermal energy input dependency and currentdependency for thermal energy transfer and the transfer amount isincreased as the current is increased. More specifically, it can be saidthat the principle was demonstrated that thermal energy is transferredfrom the heat absorbing module side to the heat generating module sideof the circuit (so-called heat pumping using the free electrons in theconductors) and thermal energy transfer is possible by the freeelectrons in the conductors. Furthermore, it could be confirmed that theamount of thermal energy transfer depends on current and the transferamount is increased as the current is increased.

In addition, for the temperature dependency, securing at least thedistance that maintains the relationship ‘the temperature Tα of the heatabsorbing module<the temperature Tβ of the heat generating module’ canobtain the Peltier effect by the configuration different from theconfiguration shown in FIG. 2. However, preferably, the distance issecured that a thermoelectric transducer having heat absorption action(hereinafter, it is called a heat absorption device, corresponding tothe first thermoelectric transducer 10 in FIG. 2) does not thermally,mutually interfere with a thermoelectric transducer having heatgeneration action (hereinafter, it is called a heat generation device,corresponding to the thermoelectric transducer 20 in FIG. 2). Forexample, in the coupling member 24 shown in FIG. 2, when a length isprovided so that at least the first thermoelectric transducer 10 doesnot thermally, mutually interfere with the second thermoelectrictransducer 20, theoretically, the length can be set variously from avery short length about a few microns to a few hundreds kilometers orlonger.

Second Embodiment

The external direct-current power supply E_(X) was removed from thePeltier effect circuit shown in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, and theboth ends of the circuit, that is, the joining member d13 of the firstthermoelectric transducer 10 and the joining member d23 of the secondthermoelectric transducer 20 were heated and cooled to provide atemperature difference about a temperature of 80° C. It could beconfirmed that an electromotive force of 0.2 mv was generated at theterminal where the power source E_(X) had been removed. Furthermore, itcould also be confirmed that the Seebeck effect was not dissipated andwas kept in the configuration in which the first thermoelectrictransducer 10 of the heating side was separated from the secondthermoelectric transducer 20 of the cooling side.

FIG. 7 relates to a second embodiment, and is a schematic circuitdiagram for describing a pair of direct conversion circuit systems fromthermal energy to electric energy by the Seebeck effect which can freelyset the space between two thermoelectric transducers.

In the circuit system shown in FIG. 7, the direct-current power supplyis removed from the circuit system as similar to that in FIG. 2, thelength of a coupling member is adjusted so that at least a firstthermoelectric transducer 10 does not thermally, mutually interfere witha second thermoelectric transducer 20 (for example, a length is adjustedfrom a very short length about a few microns to a few hundredskilometers, if necessary), and a part of the coupling member 24 is cutto form an output voltage terminal.

In the circuit system shown in FIG. 7, a heat absorbing module (ajoining member d13) of the first thermoelectric transducer 10 and a heatabsorbing module (a joining member d23) of the second thermoelectrictransducer 20 are placed in different temperature environments, and thetemperature difference ‘T1−T2’ in environmental temperatures T1 and T2is kept finitely. Thus, thermal energy existing in differentenvironments can be directly converted to electrical potential energy bythe Seebeck effect and can be used as an electric power source, forexample.

Here, in the circuit system configured as shown in FIG. 7, typical πtype pn-junction devices were used as the thermoelectric transducers 10and 20, the first thermoelectric transducer 10 was apart from the secondthermoelectric transducer 20 (length of the coupling member 24 (copperline)) at a distance of 2 m, a part of the coupling member 24 (forexample, the center part of one coupling member) was cut, and the heatabsorption module (the joining member d13 of the first thermoelectrictransducer 10) and the heat generating module (the joining member d23 ofthe second thermoelectric transducer 20) at the both ends of the circuitsystem were externally heated and cooled while voltage output by theSeebeck effect was measured by a voltage measuring device at the cutpart. Thus, positive and negative output voltages could be measured.Moreover, when the heat generating module was heated and the heatabsorption module was cooled, it could be confirmed that the positiveand negative of output voltages were reversed.

Furthermore, since the Seebeck effect directly converts temperaturedifference to electrical potential energy, for example, in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 7, the distance that at least maintains therelationship ‘T1>T2’ is secured to obtain the effect. However,preferably, a distance is secured that at least the first thermoelectrictransducer 10 does not thermally, mutually interfere with the secondthermoelectric transducer 20. For example, in the coupling member 24,when a length is provided so that at least the first thermoelectrictransducer 10 does not thermally, mutually interfere with the secondthermoelectric transducer 20, theoretically, the length can be setvariously from a very short length about a few microns to a few hundredskilometers or longer.

As the first and second embodiments described above, the idea has neverbeen considered before that the conductive members configuring thePeltier device and the Seebeck device are separated at a given distancewith the coupling member having excellent thermal conductivity. Thethermal energy transfer in the configuration like this has a physicalmechanism as the principle in which the electronically thermalinsulation phenomenon described in detail above and the current carriedthrough the coupling member of excellent thermal conductivity at therate of electromagnetic waves allow instantaneous transfer even thoughthe heat absorbing module side is apart from the heat generating moduleside of the circuit system at a long distance.

The transfer mechanism of thermal energy is assumed that an electrongroup electromagnetically pushes its adjacent electron group and thisslight move propagates through electron groups in the conductor at therate of electromagnetic waves to transfer thermal energy, not the freeelectron group in the conductor (for example, the coupling member)itself carrying thermal energy. Physically, heat generation and heatabsorption occur independently at any places in the circuit system, butheat absorption energy and heat generation energy in the heat absorbingmodule and the heat generating module where the same amount of thecurrent I is carried consequently become the same amount (nearly thesame amount) by the current continuity principle of the electric circuitsystem configured, and the energy conservation law is held.

Third Embodiment

In a third embodiment, based on the basic technical concept of theinvention, specific configurations for achieving an object of theinvention (for example, specific examples of the configurations shown inthe first and second embodiments) will be described.

FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system for describing a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus (for example, the thermoelectric apparatus ofthe first embodiment) in the third embodiment. In addition, in FIG. 8(and FIGS. 10 to 16 described later), Vs denotes voltage output, R_(C1)and R_(C2) denote circuit resistance, and I_(C) denotes circuit current.Furthermore, a symbol 30 denotes a thermoelectric transducer as similarto the first thermoelectric transducer 10 and the second thermoelectrictransducer 20 shown in FIG. 7. Moreover, Is denotes an insulatingmaterial having excellent thermal conductivity and insulation properties(for example, silicone oil, surface anodized metal, and an insulatingsheet). Besides, conductive plates and terminals disposed on the joiningmember opposite parts of each of the thermoelectric transducers are thesame as those in the first and second embodiments, and thus they are notshown in the drawing. This system is operated in the configuration andby the operating procedures (1) to (3) below.

(1) First, as similar to the first and second embodiments, a firstthermoelectric transducer 10 and a second thermoelectric transducer 20are placed in different temperature environments (T1 and T2) apart froma predetermined distance, and each of joining member opposite parts of afirst conductive member A11 and a second conductive member B12 of thethermoelectric transducer 10 is joined to each of joining memberopposite parts of a first conductive member A21 and a second conductivemember B22 of the thermoelectric transducer 20 with a coupling member ofexcellent thermal conductivity (wiring material formed of copper, gold,platinum, and aluminum) 24 a. Then, an external direct-current powersupply Ex and a switch SW1 are connected to a part of the couplingmember 24 a to configure a thermal energy transfer module G1 formed of apair of Peltier effect heat transfer electric circuit systems that thejoining members d13 and d23 shown in FIG. 2 are formed into the heatabsorbing module and the heat generating module, respectively.

It is necessary to provide a length to the coupling member 24 a so thatat least the first thermoelectric transducer 10 does not thermally,mutually interfere with the second thermoelectric transducer 20.Theoretically, the length can be set variously from a very short lengthabout a few microns to a few hundreds kilometers or longer.

The switch SW1 of the thermal energy transfer module G1 is turned on todrive the external direct-current power supply E_(x). Thus, thermalenergy is transferred from the heat source side (the heat source side ofthe temperature T1) in the direction of an electric power generatingmodule G2 (an electric power generating module G2 formed of 2 m ofthermoelectric transducers 30, described later, (m is a natural number;two transducers are used in FIG. 8)) at a given distance between thePeltier effect circuit systems of the thermal energy transfer module G1.Moreover, in FIG. 8, an insulating material Is is interposed between theheat source and the thermal energy transfer module G1.

(2) The electric power generating module G2 using the Seebeck effect isdisposed on the heat generation side of the thermal energy transfermodule G1 through the insulating material Is. For the electric powergenerating module G2, in order to increase output voltage by the Seebeckeffect, 2 n of thermoelectric transducers 30 formed of a firstconductive member A31 and a second conductive member B32 havingdifferent Seebeck coefficients joined with a joining member d33 are used(n is a natural number; six transducers are used in FIG. 8), each of thethermoelectric transducers 30 is serially connected in multistage with acoupling member 24 b. A heat absorption device 30 a in each of thethermoelectric transducers 30 is disposed on the high temperature side(three devices are disposed in FIG. 8), and a heat generation device 30b is disposed on the low temperature side (three devices are disposed inFIG. 8) for configuration. A switch SW2 is connected to a part of thecoupling member 24 b.

The switch SW2 is turned on to heat the environmental temperature of theheat absorbing module of the heat absorption device 30 a (the joiningmember d33 of the heat absorption device 30 a) in the electric powergenerating module G2 to the temperature T2 by the thermal energytransferred through the insulating material Is, and the environmentaltemperature of the heat generating module of the heat generation device30 b (the joining member d33 of the heat generation device 30 b) to thetemperature T3 or the environmental temperature is air-cooled orwater-cooled, if necessary to the temperature T3. The state ‘T2>T3’ ismaintained to generate electrical potential energy in the electric powergenerating module G2. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, when 2 n of thethermoelectric transducers are used in the electric power generatingmodule G2, the electric power generating module G2 has n of the Peltiereffect circuits. The thermal energy on the heat generation side (thejoining member d23) in the thermal energy transfer module G1 is absorbedinto the heat absorption side (the joining member d33 of the heatabsorption device 30 a) in the electric power generating module G2through the insulating material Is, and further transferred to the heatgeneration side (the joining member d33 of the heat absorption device 30b) in the electric power generating module G2.

(3) An electric power feedback module G3 is configured in which thethermal energy transfer module G1 (a part of the coupling member 24 a)is connected to the electric power generating module G2 (a part of thecoupling member 24 b) with a coupling member 24 c so that the outputvoltage (electrical potential energy) generated in the electric powergenerating module G2 is positively fed back to the thermal energytransfer module G1. A switch SW3 is connected to a part of the couplingmember 24 c.

Then, the switch SW2 and the switch SW3 are turned on, and the switchSW1 is turned off to cut off the external direct-current power supply.Thus, the output voltage generated in the electric power generatingmodule G2 is positively fed back to the thermal energy transfer moduleG1 by the electric power feedback module G3, current is kept carriedthrough the circuit system using the Peltier effect in the thermalenergy transfer module G1, and thermal energy transfer by the thermalenergy transfer module G1 is also maintained. More specifically, thecircuit system is to be kept driven as long as the thermal energy of theheat source is finally used as the thermal energy of the heat source inthe module G1.

Moreover, the circuit system shown in FIG. 8 is thermodynamically asystem operated in an open system. It should be noted that ‘theprinciple of increase of entropy which is held only in an independentlyclosed system’ cannot be applied to this system and the circuit systemis never a scientifically unfeasible system like a perpetual motionmachine.

Furthermore, in order to check the Seebeck effect in the electric powergenerating module G2 of the circuit shown in FIG. 8, electromotive forcewas measured with respect to the temperature difference ‘T2−T3’ betweenT2 and T3. It could be confirmed that the electromotive force obtainedbecomes greater as ‘T2−T3’ is increased as shown in FIG. 9. Morespecifically, according to the circuit shown in FIG. 8, it could beconfirmed that the temperature difference between T2 and T3 is kept toefficiently generate and maintain the electromotive force by the Seebeckeffect. This experimental result shown in FIG. 9 can also be obtained byusing the circuit shown in FIG. 7.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in a fourth embodiment, and is a schematiccircuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heat transfer system thatfurther improves the circuit system shown in FIG. 8. This improvedsystem is operated in the configuration and by the operating procedures(1) to (4) below. In addition, the same symbols are used for the samesymbols as those shown in FIG. 8, omitting the detailed description.

(1) In the circuit system shown in FIG. 8, the switch SW1 and theexternal direct-current power supply Ex connected between thethermoelectric transducers 10 and 20 are removed, and the couplingmember 24 c having the switch SW3 is connected to the conductive memberA11 of the thermoelectric transducer 10 to configure the electric powerfeedback module G3. In an electric power generating module G2 shown inFIG. 10, the temperature on the high temperature side of the Seebeckcircuit system (a joining member d33 of a heat absorption device 30 a inFIG. 10) to T3 by firing lumber or by an auxiliary heater 50 such as asmall-sized heater, if necessary. The low temperature side (a joiningmember d33 of a heat absorption device 30 b in FIG. 10) of the electricpower generating module G2 is set to the environmental temperature, orthe environmental temperature is air-cooled or water-cooled (externallycooled by a cooling device) to the temperature T4, and the state ‘T3>T4’is kept to provide Seebeck electromotive voltage enough to electricallydrive the Peltier effect heat transfer module. More specifically, whenthe direct energy conversion system is start to use (initial stage), oneor more of the heat absorption devices is externally heated or one ormore of the heat generation devices is externally cooled in the electricpower generating module G2. The environmental temperature difference isgenerated between the heat absorption device side and the heatgeneration device side to allow the Seebeck circuit system to obtain theSeebeck effect (a startup module (a plurality of startup modules) in anaspect of the invention is configured).

(2) A switch SW3 of the electric power feedback module G3 is turned onto positively fed back the output voltage generated in the electricpower generating module G2 by the Seebeck effect to the Peltier effectheat transfer system in a thermal energy transfer module G1.

(3) The positive feedback in (1) allows carrying current through thePeltier effect heat transfer circuit in the thermal energy transfermodule G1 for thermal energy transfer, and the thermal energy increasesthe temperature T2 (the joining member of the second thermoelectrictransducer 20 in the thermal energy transfer module G1 increases itstemperature to the temperature T2 in FIG. 8). Subsequently, T2 and T3have nearly the same temperature, and then external heating by theauxiliary heater 50 is turned off.

(4) In the circuit system shown in FIG. 10, the energy initiallyintroduced is added locally (to the joining member d33 of the heatabsorption device 30 a in FIG. 10), and thus energy can be suppressedsmaller than the energy initially consumed as Joule heat loss in thePeltier effect thermal energy transfer circuit by the circuit system asshown in FIG. 8, for example. Particularly, it exerts a significantadvantage in the case of a large-scale system in the thermal energytransfer distance between the thermal energy transfer circuits by thePeltier effect apart from a few tens kilometers to a few hundredskilometers or longer.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 11 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in a fifth embodiment, and is a schematiccircuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heat transfer system thatfurther improves the external direct-current power supply as similar tothat in FIG. 8.

More specifically, in the circuit system using an externaldirect-current power supply Ex as shown in FIG. 8, an electrolyzermodule G4 is configured in which a plurality of thermoelectrictransducers 30 are serially connected in multistage to form an electricpower generating module G2 by the Seebeck effect, a load circuit 61 isdisposed on the output terminal of output voltage of the module G2 inparallel with a positive feedback circuit module (that is, an electricpower feedback module G3). For a specific example of the load circuit61, for example, an electrolyzer is named which converts from electricalpotential energy to chemical potential energy of hydrogen gas (H₂) andoxygen gas (O₂) by water electrolysis.

In addition, in symbols in the drawing, I_(L) denotes load current, andR_(L) denotes load resistance, which are the same in embodiments andexamples described later. Furthermore, for the electrolyzer used as theload circuit 61, those generally commercially available can be used.Moreover, the configurations of a thermal energy transfer module G1 andthe electric power generating module G2 are the same as those in FIG. 8,omitting the detailed description.

In the fifth embodiment, the electrical potential energy generated inthe electric power generating module G2 can be converted to chemicalpotential energy of hydrogen gas (H₂) and oxygen gas (O₂) for use by theelectrolyzer for electrolyzing water disposed in the electrolyzer moduleG4, for example. Moreover, the conversion of electrical potential energyto chemical potential energy allows securing energy easily pressurized,compressed, stored, accumulated and transferred.

Besides, chemical potential energy is positively fed back to the thermalenergy transfer module G1 and the electric power generating module G2through the electric power feedback module G3, and thus current is keptcarried to the circuit systems using the Peltier effect and the Seebeckeffect in the thermal energy transfer module G1 and the electric powergenerating module G2 as well as thermal energy transfer by the thermalenergy transfer module G1 and electric power generation by the electricpower generating module G2 can be maintained.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in a sixth embodiment. For a specific exampleof a load circuit, an electrolyzer module G4 which electrolyzes water isdisposed in the self-driven heat transfer system that improves thesystems shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

In the circuit system shown in FIG. 12, the electrolyzer module G4 whichutilizes chemical potential energy is disposed on the system describedin FIG. 10. More specifically, it is a self-driven heat transfer systemeffective in utilizing transferred thermal energy, electric power, andchemical potential energy by electrolysis of electrolyte solutions andwater.

When the improved self-driven heat transfer system shown in FIG. 12 isinstalled in Japan as well as in regions and local areas all over theworld, for example, it is apparent that the energy obtained by thesystem stimulates economy and food production in the regions and localareas, and at the same time, it can practically implement decreasingglobal warming and suppressing environmental destruction, which issignificantly useful for sustaining humans swelled up to about 2.1billion people and other creatures, for example.

Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 13 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in a seventh embodiment. This system does notuse the Peltier effect thermal energy transfer circuit, and thermalenergy from a heat source is directly converted to electrical potentialenergy by a direct thermal energy-electric power converting module G5 bythe Seebeck effect which is a circuit configured to serially connect aplurality of thermoelectric transducers 30 in multistage. At the end ofthe output voltage, a water electrolyzer module G4 is placed as aspecific example of a load circuit which converts to chemical potentialenergy by water electrolysis, for example.

As similar to the electric power generating module G2, thethermoelectric transducers 30 used for the direct thermalenergy-electric power converting module G5 are serially connected inmultistage by a coupling member 24, a heat absorption device 30 a ineach of the thermoelectric transducers 30 is disposed on the hightemperature side (three devices are disposed in FIG. 8), and a heatgeneration device 30 b is disposed on the low temperature side (threedevices are disposed in FIG. 8).

According to the configuration of the seventh embodiment, the directconversion circuit system that can drive by itself can obtain electricalpotential energy and chemical potential energy from thermal energy.

Eighth Embodiment

FIG. 14 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in an eighth embodiment. This system furtherimproves the circuit system shown in FIG. 2, and has a plurality ofPeltier effect thermal energy transfer circuits (corresponding to thethermal energy transfer module G1).

First, a plurality of thermoelectric transducers 10 of the heatabsorption device are placed in different temperature environments (fivethermoelectric transducers 10 are placed in the environments at thetemperatures T1 a to T1 e in FIG. 14) as well as a plurality ofthermoelectric transducers 20 of the heat generation device are placedin different temperature environments (two thermoelectric transducers 20are placed in the environments at the temperature T2 a and T2 b in FIG.14). Furthermore, the environmental temperature for the thermoelectrictransducer 10 is set higher than the environmental temperature for thethermoelectric transducer 20.

Then, a joining member opposite part of a first conductive member A11and a second conductive member B12 in each of the thermoelectrictransducers 10 is joined to a joining member opposite part of one ormore of a first conductive member A21 and a second conductive member B22in each of the thermoelectric transducers 20 with a coupling member 24.Furthermore, one part or more of each of the coupling members (two partsin FIG. 14) is connected to a direct-current power supply.

Accordingly, the circuit system that cannot lose the Peltier effect andcan maintain it can be configured, and thermal energy can be transferredfrom a plurality of environments at different temperatures to anotherplurality of environments.

Ninth Embodiment

FIG. 15 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in a ninth embodiment. This system furtherimproves the circuit system shown in FIG. 7, and directly convertsthermal energy existing in different environments to electricalpotential energy by the Seebeck effect.

First, a plurality of thermoelectric transducers 10 of the heatabsorption device are placed in different temperature environments (thetemperatures T1 a to T1 c in FIG. 15) (three thermoelectric transducers10 are placed in the environments at the temperatures T1 a to T1 c inFIG. 15), and a plurality of thermoelectric transducers 20 of the heatgeneration device are placed in different temperature environments (twothermoelectric transducers 20 are placed in the environments at thetemperatures T2 a and T2 b in FIG. 14). In addition, the environmentaltemperature of the thermoelectric transducer 10 is set higher than theenvironmental temperature of the thermoelectric transducer 20 (in FIG.15, for example, ‘T2 a<T1 a>T2 b<T1 b>T2 c<T1 c>T2 d’).

Then, a joining member opposite part of a first conductive member A11and a second conductive member B12 in each of thermoelectric transducers10 is joined to a joining member opposite part of any one of a firstconductive member A21 and a second conductive member B22 in each ofthermoelectric transducers 20 with a coupling member 24, and thus theindividual thermoelectric transducers 10 and 20 are serially connected.Moreover, a part of any one of the individual coupling members is cut toform into an output voltage terminal (a symbol V_(OUT)).

Accordingly, thermal energy existing in a plurality of environments atdifferent temperatures can be directly converted to electrical potentialenergy by the Seebeck effect, and it can be utilized as an electricpower source through the output voltage terminal.

Tenth Embodiment

FIG. 16 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a self-driven heattransfer system that describes a direct energy conversion system using athermoelectric apparatus in a tenth embodiment. This system furtherimproves the circuit system shown in FIG. 12, utilizes thermal energy ina plurality of environments transferred by the Peltier effect thermalenergy transfer circuit, and obtains electrical potential energy andchemical potential energy by the Seebeck effect.

First, to each of thermoelectric transducers 20 of a Peltier effectthermal energy transfer circuit formed of a plurality of thermoelectrictransducers 10 and 20 (that is, corresponding to a thermal energytransfer module G1), a plurality of heat absorption devices 30 a aredisposed (a single heat absorption device is disposed to each of thethermoelectric transducers 20 (the temperatures T3 a and T3 b) in FIG.16), and a plurality of heat generation devices are placed in anenvironment at a lower temperature (the temperature T4) than that of theenvironment for the heat absorption devices 30 a (a single heatgeneration device is placed in FIG. 16).

Then, a joining member opposite part of a first conductive member A11and a second conductive member B12 in each of the heat absorptiondevices 30 a is joined to a joining member opposite part of one or moreof a first conductive member A21 and a second conductive member B22 ineach of heat generation devices 30 b (a single joining member oppositepart in FIG. 16) with a coupling member 24. Thus, an electric powergenerating module G2 by the Seebeck effect is configured. Furthermore,an electric power feedback module G3 (not shown in the drawing) isconfigured so that the output voltage of the electric power generatingmodule G2 is positively fed back to the Peltier effect heat transfersystem of the thermal energy transfer module G1. Moreover, a loadcircuit 61 is disposed in parallel with the electric power feedbackmodule G3 with respect to an output terminal of output voltage of theelectric power generating module G2, and thus an electrolyzer module G4is configured.

Accordingly, electrical potential energy and chemical potential energycan be obtained from thermal energy transferred from a plurality ofenvironments at different temperatures, and the electrical potentialenergy and chemical potential energy are positively fed back to thePeltier effect thermal energy transfer circuit to allow keeping thePeltier effect without loosing it.

In addition, the individual circuit systems of the configurationsdescribed in FIGS. 2, 7, 8, and 10 to 16 can separate the heat absorbingmodule from the heat generating module (or the heating module from thecooling module) at a predetermined distance apart, and thermal energy orelectrical potential energy can be transferred from a short distance(for example, about a few microns) to a long distance (for example, afew hundreds kilometers). More specifically, a circulating type energysource acquiring system of no pollution can be constructed which canreuse exhaustless thermal energy in the natural world.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, the direct energy conversionsystem is configured by connecting the coupling member so that aplurality of Peltier effect circuits are in parallel with each other (atleast two Peltier effect circuits are in parallel with each other).Thus, for example, even when failure such as a break occurs in one placeor more in the coupling member, (for example, a break occurs at a symbolX in FIG. 16), thermal energy transfer can be continuously conducted bya Peltier effect circuit (a Peltier effect circuit with no failure; forexample, a Peltier effect circuit that transfers thermal energy inenvironments at the temperatures T1 a to T1 c, T1 e in FIG. 16) disposedin parallel with that Peltier effect circuit where the failure occurs,and electrical potential energy can be obtained stably.

Moreover, for the conductive member forming the thermoelectrictransducers shown in each embodiment, solid solutions are known asthermoelectric materials in low temperature areas (for example, roomtemperature) such as Bi₂Te₃, Bi₂Se₃, and Sb₂Te₃. For thermoelectricmaterials in high temperature areas exceeding at temperature 1000 K,Ce₃Te₄, La₃Te₄, and Nd₃Te₄ are known in addition to SiGe alloys. Forthermoelectric materials in medium temperature areas, PbTe andAgSbTe—GeTe multi-compounds and Mg₂Ge—Mg₂Si are known. Preferably, agiven conductive member is selected in consideration of temperatures inenvironments where a thermoelectric transducer is used.

Besides, the same material or different materials may be used for p-typeand n-type conductive members that make a pair to configure athermoelectric transducer. A given combination can be selected inaccordance with temperatures in environments where a thermoelectrictransducer is used.

Next, more specific examples will be described on the thermoelectricapparatus and the direct energy conversion system using thethermoelectric apparatus as the circulating type energy source acquiringsystem in the first to tenth embodiments.

FIRST EXAMPLE

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a first example according to theinvention where the scale is great, and a specific example of a publicenergy supply infrastructure.

In FIG. 17, a symbol 101 a denotes a thermoelectric transducer group onthe heat absorption side (for example, corresponding to the individualfirst thermoelectric transducers 10 (particularly to the joining memberd13 side of the first thermoelectric transducer 10) in FIG. 14) in thethermoelectric apparatus of the Peltier effect heat transfer circuitsystem (or a plurality of Peltier effect heat transfer circuit systems),and a symbol 101 b denotes a thermoelectric transducer group on the heatgeneration side (for example, corresponding to the individual secondthermoelectric transducers 20 (particularly to the joining member d23side of the second thermoelectric transducer 20) in FIG. 14) disposedapart from the thermoelectric transducer group 101 a on the heatabsorption side at a predetermined distance. In addition, T11, T12, andT2 denote the temperatures of a region α (seawater and rivers), a regionβ, and a region γ, and T11 and T12 are set to temperatures higher thanthat of T2. The Peltier effect heat transfer circuit system thusconfigured is implemented as shown in (1) to (6) below.

(1) Since the seawater about 10 meters below water always flows at astable temperature (a constant temperature), it is a stable thermalenergy source throughout the year. The stable thermal energy in theseawater is transferred (long distant energy transfer) from thethermoelectric transducer group 101 a on the heat absorption side to thethermoelectric transducer group 101 b on the heat generation side by thePeltier effect heat transfer circuit system shown in FIG. 17.

A Seebeck effect device group (not shown in the drawing; correspondingto the individual heat absorption devices 30 a in FIG. 16) is closelycontacted with the thermoelectric transducer group 101 b on the heatgeneration side, thermal energy transferred at a long distance is energyconverted by the Seebeck effect to electrical potential energy (forexample, as described in the second to fifth, seventh, ninth, and tenthembodiments, the Seebeck effect energy converts electrical potentialenergy), and thus stable electric power generation can be conductedthroughout the year, for example. More specifically, infrastructurefacilities such as power plants of no pollution utilizing natural energy(transferred thermal energy) can be constructed everywhere in Japan.

(2) Instead of placing the thermoelectric transducer group 101 a on theheat absorption side in the seawater as (1), the thermoelectrictransducer group 101 a is placed in a river. The thermal energy in theriver water is energy transferred at a medium distance to thethermoelectric transducer apparatus 101 b on the heat generation side bythe same means as (1) (the same means used for long distance energytransfer). The Seebeck effect device group is closely contacted with thethermoelectric transducer group 101 b to energy convert from thermalenergy to electrical potential energy. Thus, infrastructure facilitiessuch as power plants of no pollution utilizing natural energy can beconstructed everywhere in Japan as similar to (1).

(3) Instead of placing the thermoelectric transducer group 101 a on theheat absorption side in the seawater and the river water as (1) and (2),the thermoelectric transducer group 101 a is placed on a ground (theregion γ in FIG. 17), and thermal energy is directly used fromgeothermal heat, thermal energy such as hot water waste, and sunlight.Thus, infrastructure facilities such as power plants of no pollutionutilizing natural energy can also be constructed everywhere in Japan assimilar to (1) and (2).

(4) The electric power obtained in the regions in (1) to (3) (electricpower obtained by the infrastructure facilities such as power plants) isutilized for water electrolysis, based on the fifth to seventh, andtenth embodiments, for example, and thus electrical potential energy isenergy converted to chemical potential energy of hydrogen gas and oxygengas.

The hydrogen gas and oxygen gas accumulated by chemical potential energyare pressurized, compressed and stored in containers. Thus, transfer isfacilitated, and the chemical potential energy source can be suppliedand stored everywhere in Japan. The hydrogen and oxygen are againreacted with each other to convert to power energy and thrust energy andare used for hydrogen fuel cells, and thus energy can be utilized inaccordance with purposes.

(5) Since wastes (products) generated in utilizing the chemicalpotential energy of hydrogen and oxygen of (4) is water, environmentload as pollution is nearly zero.

(6) The energy sources from environments utilized in (1) to (5) are apart of that sunlight from the sun to the earth is converted to thermalenergy, and are emitted outside the earth as radiant energy over time.The exemplary forms are ‘circulating type and sustainable energyutilization’ that uses a part of energy flows obtained from the sun.

SECOND EXAMPLE

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a second example according to theinvention where the scale is medium, and a specific example of an energysupply system in a house, for example. In FIG. 18, a symbol 102 adenotes a thermoelectric transducer group on the heat absorption side ofthermoelectric apparatus in the Peltier effect heat transfer circuitsystem (or a plurality of Peltier effect heat transfer circuit systems),a symbol 102 b denotes a thermoelectric transducer group on the heatgeneration side disposed apart from the thermal converter device group102 a on the heat absorption side at a predetermined distance, a symbol103 denotes a material that easily absorbs sunlight (hereinafter, it iscalled a light absorbing material such as a black material), and asymbol 104 denotes an electrical appliance such as a lighting apparatus,which are implemented as shown in (1) to (4) below.

(1) Since a typical photovoltaic power generation device used for houseroofs reflects almost all the sunlight energy, it cannot effectivelyutilize the energy. Then, the photovoltaic power generation device isplaced over the house roof, the thin light absorbing material 103 isplaced thereon as closely contacted with the both sides of thephotovoltaic power generation device, and the thermoelectric transducergroup 102 a on the heat absorption side is placed with respect to thelight absorbing material 103.

Accordingly, the light absorbing material 103 absorbs black energy toconvert almost all the sunlight energy to thermal energy. Then, aPeltier effect heat transfer circuit system shown in FIG. 18 allows thethermoelectric transducer group 102 a on the heat absorption side toabsorb thermal energy obtained by the conversion, and the thermoelectrictransducer group 101 a transfers (middle and short distant energytransfer) it to the thermoelectric transducer group 101 b on the heatgeneration side. The transferred thermal energy can be used as domesticspace-heating appliances and heaters in accordance with purposes. In theexample, essential points are in that the system does not need greatexternal electric power, the energy obtained from the sunlight isconverted to thermal energy in accordance with purposes, and the thermalenergy can be utilized in various forms. When this new system isintroduced along with photovoltaic power generation, the efficiency forconverted energy utilization with respect to the incident solar energyis dramatically increased more than using only the photovoltaic powergeneration device.

(2) The example shown in FIG. 18 is thermal energy utilization in thedaytime, and it is considered that outdoor temperatures are higher thanindoor temperatures. However, for example, the temperature relationshipsometimes reveres at night. Therefore, a switching device (not shown inthe drawing) is configured in the energy supply system shown in FIG. 18,for example, the switching device is operated by a sensor (not shown inthe drawing) which senses temperature change in outdoors and indoors ora person's will in the house, and the heat absorption side and the heatgeneration side in the energy supply system are switched. Thus, adesired thermal energy conversion (for example, indoor heat is exhaustedto outside) can be conducted.

Accordingly, the orientation of current is inversed in the Peltiereffect heat transfer circuit system shown in FIG. 18, the thermoelectrictransducer groups 102 a and 102 b can be formed into the heat generationside and the heat absorption side of the Peltier effect heat transfercircuit system, for example, without replacing circuit modules (the heatabsorption side and the heat generation side are switched in the Peltiereffect heat transfer circuit system). Therefore, a cooler and anice-making machine that need no large external electric power can beconfigured (when the improved Peltier effect heat transfer systemaccording to the invention is used, for example, an air conditionersystem may be configured with no external electric).

(3) A Seebeck effect device group (not shown in the drawing;corresponding to the individual heat absorption devices 30 a in FIG. 16)is closely contacted with the thermoelectric transducer group 102 a onthe heat generation side where thermal energy is transferred (or 102 b)as in (1) or (2), and then the transferred thermal energy is energyconverted to electrical potential energy by the Seebeck effect (forexample, as described in the second to fifth, seventh, ninth, and tenthembodiments, energy converted to electrical potential energy by theSeebeck effect). Thus, a medium-scale power generator, for example, canbe constructed in the regions and homes.

(4) The medium-scale power generator in (3), for example, is utilized toconduct water electrolysis based on the fifth to seventh, and tenthembodiments, and then electrical potential energy can be energyconverted to chemical potential energy of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.Therefore, as similar to the first example, the system utilizingchemical energy in accordance with purposes can be installed in theregions and homes.

THIRD EXAMPLE

For example, air around living environments always has some thermalenergy unless it is at absolute zero Kelvin. The thermal energy held bythe air around the living environments is utilized, that is, thedescription of small-scale examples is as follows.

(1) The thermoelectric transducer on the heat absorption side (or thetransducer group) is placed apart from the thermoelectric transducer onthe heat generation side (or the transducer group) at a requireddistance (a distance that the Peltier effect device group on the heatabsorption side does not thermally, mutually interfere with the Peltiereffect device group on the heat generation side) in the Peltier effectheat transfer circuit system (or a plurality of Peltier effect heattransfer circuit systems). Since the two transducer groups in thePeltier effect heat transfer circuit system can be used independently inaccordance with the purpose for use, based on the first embodiment, forexample, the cooling side is disposed in an indoor air conditioner and arefrigerator or a freezer and the heat generation side is disposed on awater heater, a pot, and a cooking heater. Thus, a cooler (cooling) anda heater can be used in a paired form at home without using largeexternal electric power (also in this case, when the improved Peltiereffect heat transfer system is used, various home appliances paired withcooling and heating can be used with no use of external electric power).

(2) Furthermore, the Peltier effect heat transfer circuit system isreduced in size to a portable form. Thus, for indoors, outdoors andcamping areas, for example, various appliances paired with cooling andheating can be produced such as a small-sized refrigerator, pot, andcooking appliance.

(3) Specific examples of schemes for removing undesired heat in large-,medium-, and small-seized computers, personal computers, small-sizedpower sources, solids, liquids, and gases, and schemes for utilizing theremoved heat are as follows.

For example, inside a typical computer, a central processing unit (CPU)device is a main heat generation source in the computer in operating. Inorder to remove the heat of the CPU device, currently a cooling thermalmodule is used that has a thickness of within about 1 cm using a Peltiereffect device, the heat absorption side of the Peltier effect device isclosely contacted with the CPU device, and a radiator plate and asmall-sized fan for removing heat (small fan) are mounted on the heatgeneration side for forced heat exhaustion. Therefore, there areevitable problems of wasted electric power, airflow noise by the fan,and other noises.

On the other hand, when the invention is used, the space between theheat absorption side and the heat generation side in the Peltier effectheat transfer circuit system is separated from each other by thecoupling member of excellent thermal conductivity at a few centimetersto a few meters, for example, in accordance with the computer size, theheat absorption side is closely contacted with the CPU device, and theheat generation side is mounted on a computer box of a large surfacearea and an external heat dissipation metal body or on a water heater.Thus, heat exhaustion with no noises and electric power savings can beintended at the same time.

Furthermore, in the invention, according to the circuit system that usesthe improved Peltier effect heat transfer system and does not requireexternal electric power, small-sized power sources and small-sizeddevices for removing undesired heat in solids, liquids, and gases can becommercialized, in addition to computers.

The following is the other exemplary applications of the invention. Inthe case of liquid, in an automatic vending machine that sells colddrinks and hot drinks, for example, the heat absorption side in aPeltier effect heat transfer circuit system is placed on the cold drinkside, and the heat generation side in the Peltier effect heat transfercircuit system is placed on the hot drink side. Thus, such automaticvending machines using the improved Peltier effect heat transfer systemcan be developed that can dramatically reduce external electric powerand that do not need external electric power.

Moreover, in the case of gas, heaters are paired in accordance with fishshowcases and meat freezers, and thus circulating type devices can beimplemented in a configuration combined with cooling, storage, heatingand heat insulation with low energy and no pollution.

All the examples utilizing the improved Peltier effect heat transfersystems according to the invention are ‘the open energy recycling systemthat does not need fuels such as fossil fuels and external electricpower and conducts thermal energy transfer based on thermal energy inthe natural world and various types of energy conversion’, and canprovide ‘the system that reduces global warming with less environmentload accompanied by pollution’.

As described above, only the described specific examples are explainedin detail in the invention. However, it is apparent for persons skilledin the art that various modifications and alterations can be done withinthe scope of the technical concept of the invention and suchmodifications and alterations of course belong to claims.

1. A thermoelectric apparatus comprising: a Peltier effect heat transfercircuit system including: a plurality of thermoelectric transducers,each of the thermoelectric transducers including a first conductivemember and a second conductive member having different Seebeckcoefficients, and a joining member joining the first conductive memberand the second conductive member; a coupling member connecting each ofjoining member opposite parts of the first conductive member and thesecond conductive member in each of at least one of the thermoelectrictransducers electrically and serially to a respective one of joiningmember opposite parts of the first conductive member and the secondconductive member in each of at least remaining one of thethermoelectric transducers; and a direct-current power supply seriallyconnected to at least one of the coupling members, each of heatabsorption modules in the Peltier effect heat transfer circuit systembeing disposed away from each of heat generating modules in the Peltiereffect heat transfer circuit system so as to keep a temperature Tα ofthe heat absorbing module and a temperature Tβ of the heat generatingmodule in a relationship of Tα<Tβ.
 2. A direct energy conversion systemcomprising: a directly energy conversion electric circuit systemincluding: a plurality of thermoelectric transducers, each of thethermoelectric transducers including a first conductive member and asecond conductive member having different Seebeck coefficients, and ajoining member joining the first conductive member and the secondconductive member, and the thermoelectric transducers being placed in atleast two different temperature environments; and a coupling memberconnecting each of joining member opposite parts of the first conductivemember and the second conductive member in each of at least one of thethermoelectric transducers electrically and serially to a respective oneof joining member opposite parts of the first conductive member and thesecond conductive member in each of at least remaining one of thethermoelectric transducers, each of the thermoelectric transducersplaced in a high temperature environment being disposed away from eachof the thermoelectric transducers placed in a low temperatureenvironment, so as to keep a temperature T1 of the thermoelectrictransducer placed in the high temperature environment and a temperatureT2 of the thermoelectric transducer placed in the low temperatureenvironment in a relationship of T1>T2, the directly energy conversionelectric circuit system being configured to allow to extract electricalpotential energy from a given place in each of at least one of thecoupling members to convert thermal energy to electrical potentialenergy.
 3. An energy conversion system comprising: a directly energyconversion electric circuit system including: a plurality ofthermoelectric transducers, each of the thermoelectric transducersincluding a first conductive member and a second conductive memberhaving different Seebeck coefficients, and a joining member joining thefirst conductive member and the second conductive member, and thethermoelectric transducers being placed in at least two differenttemperature environments; and a coupling member connecting each ofjoining member opposite parts of the first conductive member and thesecond conductive member in each of at least one of the thermoelectrictransducers electrically and serially to a respective one of joiningmember opposite parts of the first conductive member and the secondconductive member in each of at least remaining one of thethermoelectric transducers, each of the thermoelectric transducersplaced in a high temperature environment being disposed away from eachof the thermoelectric transducers placed in a low temperatureenvironment, so as to keep a temperature T1 of the thermoelectrictransducer placed in the high temperature environment and a temperatureT2 of the thermoelectric transducer placed in the low temperatureenvironment in a relationship of T1>T2, the directly energy conversionelectric circuit system being configured to allow to extract electricalpotential energy from a given place in each of at least one of thecoupling members to convert thermal energy to electrical potentialenergy, and the energy conversion system being configured to conductelectrolysis with the electrical potential energy extracted from a givenplace in each of at least one of the coupling members, to convert theelectrical potential energy to chemical potential energy.
 4. An energyconversion system comprising: a thermoelectric apparatus including aPeltier effect heat transfer circuit system including: a plurality ofthermoelectric transducers, each of the thermoelectric transducersincluding a first conductive member and a second conductive memberhaving different Seebeck coefficients, and a joining member joining thefirst conductive member and the second conductive member; a couplingmember connecting each of joining member opposite parts of the firstconductive member and the second conductive member in each of at leastone of the thermoelectric transducers electrically and serially to arespective one of joining member opposite parts of the first conductivemember and the second conductive member in each of at least remainingone of the thermoelectric transducers; and a direct-current power supplyserially connected to at least one of the coupling members, each of heatabsorption modules in the Peltier effect heat transfer circuit systembeing disposed away from each of heat generating modules in the Peltiereffect heat transfer circuit system so as to keep an environmentaltemperature T1 of the heat absorbing module and an environmentaltemperature T2 of the heat generating module in a relationship of T1>T2,the energy conversion system being configured to supply thermal energyobtained from the thermoelectric transducer apparatus to each of thethermoelectric transducers placed in the high temperature environment inthe direct energy conversion system according to claim 2 to obtainelectrical potential energy, and the energy conversion system beingconfigured to positively feed back a part of the electrical potentialenergy to the thermoelectric apparatus for use as a direct-current powersupply.
 5. The direct energy conversion system according to claim 2,wherein the direct energy conversion system comprises at least one setof the directly energy conversion electric circuit systems, and aplurality of startup modules for applying a temperature difference byone of initial external heating and initial external cooling to at leastone of the first conductive members and the second conductive members,and wherein the direct energy conversion system is configured todirectly convert to electrical potential energy from an environmentalthermal energy source caused by the temperature differences inenvironments in a plurality of places separated from each other.
 6. Theenergy conversion system according to claim 4, further comprising anon/off switch connected to each of at least one place in the couplingmembers, wherein the energy conversion system is configured to controlpositive feedback of the electrical potential energy by switching theon/off switch.
 7. The thermal energy conversion system according toclaim 6, wherein the thermal energy conversion system is configured tocontrol positive feedback of the electrical potential energy byswitching the on/off switch, and wherein the thermal energy conversionsystem is configured to supply the electrical potential energy to thethermoelectric apparatus, and to cut off electric power supply from thedirect-current power supply of the thermoelectric apparatus.
 8. Thethermal energy conversion system according to claim 4, wherein thethermal energy conversion system is configured to conduct electrolysiswith the electrical potential energy to convert the electrical potentialenergy to chemical potential energy.
 9. The direct energy conversionsystem according to claim 3, wherein the direct energy conversion systemcomprises at least one set of the directly energy conversion electriccircuit systems, and a plurality of startup modules for applying atemperature difference by one of initial external heating and initialexternal cooling to at least one of the first conductive members and thesecond conductive members, and wherein the direct energy conversionsystem is configured to directly convert to electrical potential energyfrom an environmental thermal energy source caused by the temperaturedifferences in environments in a plurality of places separated from eachother.
 10. The direct energy conversion system according to claim 4,wherein the direct energy conversion system comprises at least one setof the directly energy conversion electric circuit systems, and aplurality of startup modules for applying a temperature difference byone of initial external heating and initial external cooling to at leastone of the first conductive members and the second conductive members,and wherein the direct energy conversion system is configured todirectly convert to electrical potential energy from an environmentalthermal energy source caused by the temperature differences inenvironments in a plurality of places separated from each other.
 11. Theenergy conversion system according to claim 5, further comprising anon/off switch connected to each of at least one place in the couplingmembers, wherein the energy conversion system is configured to controlpositive feedback of the electrical potential energy by switching theon/off switch.
 12. The thermal energy conversion system according toclaim 11, wherein the thermal energy conversion system is configured tocontrol positive feedback of the electrical potential energy byswitching the on/off switch, and wherein the thermal energy conversionsystem is configured to supply the electrical potential energy to thethermoelectric apparatus, and to cut off electric power supply from thedirect-current power supply of the thermoelectric apparatus.
 13. Thethermal energy conversion system according to claim 5, wherein thethermal energy conversion system is configured to conduct electrolysiswith the electrical potential energy to convert the electrical potentialenergy to chemical potential energy.
 14. The thermal energy conversionsystem according to claim 6, wherein the thermal energy conversionsystem is configured to conduct electrolysis with the electricalpotential energy to convert the electrical potential energy to chemicalpotential energy.
 15. The thermal energy conversion system according toclaim 7, wherein the thermal energy conversion system is configured toconduct electrolysis with the electrical potential energy to convert theelectrical potential energy to chemical potential energy.